Ji-hoon lay awake in his bed, staring at the dark ceiling, his mind a battlefield of thoughts and emotions. The air was thick with anxiety, pressing down on him like an invisible weight. Every minute that passed felt like an hour, and no matter how many times he turned from side to side, sleep refused to come. Tomorrow was the day—the day that would determine the course of his life. His future was wrapped in a sealed envelope, waiting for him at his school, holding the result that would either lift him toward his dreams or shatter them entirely.

  He had never feared anything more in his life.

  Every time he closed his eyes, his mind raced with possibilities. What if I don’t get into a top university? What if I let my parents down? What if all the hard work wasn’t enough? These thoughts gnawed at him, making the night stretch endlessly. He had spent years preparing for this moment, pushing himself beyond exhaustion. Late-night study sessions under the dim glow of a flickering lamp, weekends spent buried in textbooks instead of hanging out with friends, sacrificing sleep and comfort—all for the chance to change his fate.

  Ji-hoon had never wanted anything more than to break free from the cycle of struggle that his family endured. He saw the worry lines on his father’s face grow deeper each year, the quiet exhaustion in his mother’s eyes as she budgeted every expense, trying to make ends meet. If he succeeded, he could change everything. If he failed… he didn’t even want to think about that.

  He turned his head to the side, glancing at the small desk in the corner of his room. His books were still scattered across its surface, pages filled with handwritten notes, formulas, and practice tests. The sight of them made his stomach churn. Was it enough? Had he done everything he could? He wished he could go back in time, study just a little more, push himself just a little harder. But it was too late now. The results were already sealed.

  Outside, the night was unnervingly quiet. No cars passing by, no dogs barking—just the faint hum of crickets filling the stillness. He could hear his younger siblings, Ji-sung and Ji-yeon, breathing steadily in the next room, sound asleep, blissfully unaware of the storm raging inside him. He envied them.

  Hours passed, but sleep never came.

  The first light of dawn peeked through the thin curtains, casting a faint glow over his small room. Ji-hoon felt like he hadn’t slept at all. He sat up, rubbing his tired eyes. Today was the day. The thought sent a jolt through his chest, making his pulse quicken.

  As if sensing his turmoil, his younger siblings were already up, their excitement mirroring his anxiety. Ji-sung bounced into the room with an eager grin. “Hyung! Today’s the day! You’re going to do great, I just know it!”

  Ji-yeon peeked around the doorway, her big eyes filled with curiosity. “Are you nervous?” she asked, her voice soft.

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  Ji-hoon forced a smile. “A little.” That was a lie. He was terrified.

  “Don’t be,” Ji-sung said, puffing up his chest confidently. “You’re the smartest person I know. You probably got the highest score in the whole school!”

  Ji-hoon chuckled, ruffling his brother’s hair. “We’ll see.”

  Their mother, Mi-sook, appeared behind them, her presence instantly calming. She was already dressed for the day, her apron tied neatly around her waist as she prepared breakfast. “Let Ji-hoon have his moment,” she gently told his siblings. “You two need to get ready for school.”

  Ji-sung groaned but obeyed, while Ji-yeon lingered for a moment before nodding and following their mother.

  Their father, Joon-seok, soon emerged, dressed in his neatly pressed office uniform, the same one he wore every day. He walked over to Ji-hoon, placing a firm hand on his son’s shoulder. “I have no doubts about you, son,” he said, his voice steady. “Whatever the result is, you have done your best, and that is enough.”

  Ji-hoon swallowed hard, nodding. His father’s words were meant to comfort him, but he knew there was hope hidden beneath them. His father believed in him. I can’t let him down.

  As the time approached, Ji-hoon left the house and made his way toward the school, his heart pounding with each step. The usually short walk felt unbearably long. The streets, normally bustling with activity, seemed muted today, as if the whole world was holding its breath for the results.

  He wasn’t alone in his nervousness. When he arrived at the school gates, a crowd had already gathered—students, parents, and teachers buzzing with anticipation. The tension was thick in the air, mingling with the scent of damp pavement and the crisp morning breeze.

  Some students held their envelopes tightly, hesitant like him, while others tore them open immediately. Excited shouts of joy erupted in some corners, while quiet sobs filled others. The contrast was stark—dreams being realized and shattered in the same space.

  Ji-hoon spotted his close friends, Min-jae and Soo-bin, standing near the school notice board. They were both gripping their own result envelopes, looking just as anxious as he felt.

  “You got yours?” Min-jae asked, his voice slightly strained.

  Ji-hoon nodded, clutching the sealed envelope in his clammy hands.

  Soo-bin exhaled heavily. “I can’t open it here. Not in front of everyone.”

  “Same,” Ji-hoon admitted. The thought of revealing his result in the middle of the chaos made his stomach churn.

  Min-jae nodded in agreement. “Let’s take them home. We’ll open them in private and then meet at the usual spot later.”

  The three of them had a tradition. Whenever something important happened, they would gather at their favorite meeting place—a quiet pond near the outskirts of town. It was their safe haven, away from the noise of school and the pressures of their families.

  “See you guys in the evening,” Soo-bin said, forcing a smile.

  Ji-hoon nodded, gripping his envelope tighter.

  As he turned to leave, he heard the murmurs of students around him. Some were celebrating, others whispering about those who had failed to make the cut. He felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him even harder.

  Without a word, he turned on his heels and sprinted back home. He didn’t look back.

  His heart pounded, his legs moving faster than his mind could process. The envelope in his hand felt heavier with every step. The closer he got to home, the more his fear grew.

  What if the result wasn’t what he hoped for? What if all the sacrifices had been for nothing?

  The moment he reached his front door, he paused, breathing heavily.

  His parents were waiting inside.

  His future was sealed in his hands.

  And now, there was no turning back.

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